Read Marsha Burdick

Don't you love yard sales? All those things priced so conveniently. All those treasures changing houses. It's a lovely tradition that not all countries share. Italy, for example, does not do yard sales. So I guess you can imagine that I don't go all that often. For those of you who have never heard of a yard sale, these are sales that people hold privately to sell their own belongings at a 90% markdown. Some people set their stuff up in the garage, and call them garage sales. The unofficial verb would be "to go garage sale-ing". You don't need a permit or other type of authorisation. Outside the US, I'm sure you have second hand shops, or maybe you just donate your used items in good condition to charities. Maybe you could find a bookcrossing  point to get something to read free. I've been to several sales already this year, and here are a few of titles I picked up. Mad Merlin: garage sale. When I started it, I thought it was just another tak...

It's absolutely crazy at work! Every business in Milan is preparing for either (or both!) the EXPO or the  Salone del Mobile - which is only the biggest international furniture fair in Europe. My translation business is involved in the preparation for these events, so I'm doing lots of furniture or tourism related text. It's interesting to get to know the history of a thriving company, and the passion that helped it get where it is now. At this difficult time for the economy, companies are looking to attract customers and, naturally, sell their products. The buzzwords? Natural , environmentally friendly , innovation , convenience , comfort, timeless beauty , durability , and my personal pet peeve for this year: avant-garde . Why o why has every copywriter starting using that word? Anyway, have you read any good business books lately? Business books are filled with marketing tips and encouragement, and they don't beat around the bush. It's as plain as da...

What are you reading now? Do you read on the bus, at the mall, or anywhere people can see what you're reading? On my commutes to and from work, I like to take a paperback or read from my cell phone e-reader, but sometimes I do stick a hardback in my briefcase just because I'm on the last chapter. (The issue with that is weight, not subject matter. My briefcase is heavy sometimes.) Here are a few of the books I have read on the bus. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Six Other Stories by F. Scott Fitzgerald Indescribable by Louie Giglio and Matt Redman The Ultimate Prescription: What the Medical Profession Isn't Telling You by James L. Marcum God on the Streets of Gotham by Paul Assay Love Isn't Supposed to Hurt  by Christi Paul Techniques and Principles in Language Teaching by Diane Larsen-Freeman ... and finally, a book that you should all read because it's fun ... Night of the Living Dead Christian by Matt Mikalatos I don't notice...